CRO PREMIER OPENS A WATER PARK AT VARAZDINSKE TOPLICE

( Editorial: --> 7577 ) VARAZDINSKE TOPLICE, May 29 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa on Friday opened a water park as part of the hotel "Minerva" in Varazdinke Toplice, 70 km north-east of Zagreb, in celebration of Croatian Statehood Day. The water park covers an area of 1,200 square metres, and includes a 450 square metre, heated outdoor pool with three slides and other side attractions. The investment is worth more than US$2 million. The opening of the water park marks the end of the first phase of a tourist project to develop the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation, i.e. Varazdinske Toplice, as a health resort. The project is based on a study conducted by the Zagreb-based Institute for Tourism. The Government would also support the second phase of the Special Hospital project, Matesa said. This part of the project, "Aquae Iasae", includes the restoration of the olympic pool, the construction of a modern thermal spa and a thermal pool. Speaking on Croatian tourism, Matesa stressed that one of the goals was developing both continental and health-spa tourism, and that the Government supported the project called the "Thermal Riviera". (hina) jn jfk/bag 292120 MET may 98